Sunday, September 23, 2012

This weekend, we celebrated Uncle Ben's college graduation and Evin's 6th Birthday! Sadly, I was sick and didn't get to go. But Chad and the kiddos had a lot of fun with their aunt, uncle, cousins, and grandparents! They love playing at Ben and Jen's home! And who wouldn't?!?!?! They have a creek where they can catch salamanders, a tree to climb, a rope swing, and trampoline! And of course their very favorite to play with....COUSINS!!!!

Grandpa Bud was here for the week and came by on Wednesday to watch the boys at their second ball practice! Afterwards we all went out to dinner at the Loop. We ended the fun evening with a trip to Krispy Kreme. In honor of National Talk Like a Pirate Day, they were giving away free doughnuts! We were coming from ball practice, so we did not have full costumes on. However they still gave each of my children their own DOZEN!!!!! (Daddy took most of them to work the next day)!

Yesterday at the Apple Festival, we sampled honey and popcorn. Saw owls and hawks. Watched pig, duck, and goat races. Potato Sack Raced. Watched a spinning wheel and a blacksmith. And of course enjoyed Apple Pie! (Well those of us not allergic to wheat did)! :)

Sunday, September 9, 2012

When I was pregnant with Molly, I was pretty confident we were having a boy. I even had a name picked out for him. That is until one night while I was driving to Cub Scouts and passed a Ballet School. The class for 3 and 4 year olds had just ended and tiny ballerinas poured out the doors onto the sidewalk as I drove by. Each of them had on little leotards and little tights. Their hair was pulled back into tiny buns. They carried teeny tiny ballet bags with slippers inside. My eyes started to tear up at the sweet sight. I knew right then I was having a little girl. (And that I was extremely emotional...but you know that already, right)?

Lucky for me, Molly is a pretty typical girly girl. She loves ballet and all things pink. Molly started her first little class this week. It is called Dancetastics. It is 20 minutes gymnastics, 20 minutes ballet, and 20 minutes tap. But Molly doesn't really care what it is called. To her it is Baa-La-Lena School. She has told every person in Winston-Salem that she goes to Ballet School. I love her enthusiasm. She wore her ballet slippers all day long each day the week before class began and wore them to sleep as well!

I was a little worried that she would not know how to follow directions or would be disappointed in the class. I surprised at how well she listened and followed directions the first week. It made her seem so very grown-up to me. And she was definitely NOT disappointed. She is counting down the minutes until time for her school again. She is using the chair rail in our kitchen as a ballet barre and practicing what she learned the first week.

And yes, of course I teared up a little when my very own little girl walked into class with her tiny leotard, tiny tights, tiny shoes, and (not so) tiny bag. (But then you know that, too, right)?

(Unfortunately, the dance studio isn't in a location where parents can get close enough to see or get pics, so all I have are the pics from the gymnastics segment).

Andrew

Andrew

Andrew is 12. He loves wolves, reading, acting, fencing, and exploring the woods! He likes to ride his bike, run 5ks, play with cousins, and play video games. (Zelda is his current favorite). He plays the piano and the french horn. And he is a Boy Scout. He is also a pretty nice guy.

Ryan

Ryan

Ryan is my silly 9 year old guy who loves to laugh, build Lego sets, read funny books, and who loves going to the Beach. He is learning to play the piano and loves to dance.

Molly

Molly

Molly is our darling 7 year old animal-loving, fairy princess. She loves art projects, playdates with her friends, swimming, dance class, reading chapter books, and playing the piano.